by Kit Morgan
“I wish I was there too,” he mumbled as he stared at her picture and waited for his heart to calm. Finally he exhaled, as if he’d just finished running a mile. He missed her, wanted to see her again. But when? She never said.
Tate hauled his laptop into the living room, got comfy on the couch and spent the next hour answering e-mails, including Cassandra’s. Maybe she was having such a good time she’d forgotten to mention when she’d be flying back to New York. He was hoping she’d be here already, but no such luck – they’d extended the shoot. This was a major magazine, her first, so naturally she’d be excited. And he was happy for her.
Hours later he lay awake in bed, still thinking about Cassandra, trying to picture her on their ranch. Would she want to be there? She didn’t exactly seem like the outdoors type – she said she loved to ski and hike and all that, but so far all they’d done together outside was take walks through Central Park.
Tate made up his mind that when he saw her again, he’d make sure they found someplace to hike or go to the beach for the day. That thought in mind, he finally fell asleep.
* * *
“Melanie!”
Melanie twisted in the saddle to look over her shoulder. “Tate!” She reined Georgie in, turned him around and cantered to the other end of the arena. “When did you get into town?”
“Just yesterday. I have something for you from Casey.”
Melanie dismounted. “What is it?”
“Guess.”
She laughed. “I meant, which designs? But you wouldn’t know that, would you?”
“I can’t keep track of what the two of you do. I have a ranch to run.”
“That’s not all you have to run, or you wouldn’t be here. Not that I mind seeing you, but I was kind of hoping it was Jake and Casey’s turn.”
“No, the honor’s all mine. They’re still newlyweds, remember – they want to stick close to home.”
She rolled her eyes. “Oh please.”
“That’s all they care about right now.” He made kissing sounds.
She covered her ears. “I don’t want to hear it!”
Tate laughed, handed her the package and patted the bay on the neck. “How’s Georgie? He’s looking good.”
“He’s fine. I’ve been out of town, so he’s happy I’m back.”
“Where did you go?” he asked while looking the horse over.
“A shoot in Nashville.”
“Nashville! How was it?”
“Profitable,” she said with a smile.
“What did you think of the city?”
Her eyebrows rose as she thought. “Hm, I liked it,” she finally said with a nod. “Good food there.”
“That’s something, coming from a New York girl.”
She nodded again and smiled. “It is, isn’t it? How about you – anything new in your life?”
“No, just waiting for your assistant to get back into town.”
Melanie’s smile wavered. “Oh yeah – Paris.” She pronounced it pah-REE, and sardonically. “When’s she coming back?”
“I wish I knew,” he sighed. “I e-mailed her last night, but haven’t heard back yet.”
Melanie dismounted and rubbed Georgie’s nose. “Sometimes things get behind schedule on a photo shoot.”
“So I’ve heard. I’m sure I’ll hear from her tonight. I keep forgetting the time difference.”
She half-smiled but didn’t look at him. “Yes, there is that.” She kissed Georgie on the nose. “There’s my big guy!”
“He’s a fine-looking animal,” Tate said. “But I don’t think I’d kiss him.”
“He’s my baby,” she said emphatically. “And I’d better unsaddle him.”
“Want any help?”
“Sure.”
He followed her through the nearest gate and down the shed row, helped Melanie get Georgie untacked, then led him into the wash area and started to hose him down. “I remember Jake telling me what happened the first time he met you and Casey.”
“Ha – Casey sprayed him with the hose! It was hilarious – and your brother was very good-natured about the whole thing.”
“Well, that’s Jake for you.” He flicked his wrist, and water flew over Georgie’s back and sprayed Melanie.
“Hey!”
Tate laughed. “Shoe’s on the other foot now, isn’t it?” he teased.
“Give me that hose!” She made her way around her horse, careful not to slip, but rather than grab the hose, she turned off the spout.
“Now that’s no fair,” he protested.
She grinned triumphantly. “Best to cut off the enemy’s supply line.”
He glared at her, then looked at Georgie. “Looks like bath time’s over, buddy.”
“No, I’ll take it from here,” she said. “That way I know I’ll stay dry!”
He chuckled. “I’ll stop, I promise.” He held up a hand. “Really.”
She narrowed her gaze at him. “Promise?”
“Promise. If I spray you again, then I have to buy you a cup of coffee.”
“I’ll make you buy me one anyway – I want to get caught up with what’s been happening out west. I hear Jenny is going back to college?”
“She is,” he said as she turned the water back on. He went back to hosing down the horse. “She wants to go somewhere out of the area, but not too far out.”
“How’s your mother feel about that?”
“She’s not thrilled, as you can imagine, but at least she’ll have Casey around for company.”
“How’s that working out, Casey and Jake living at the ranch?”
Tate watched Georgie’s face as he let the water run over one of his back legs. The horse stretched out his neck and flapped his gums. “He always do that?”
“Yes, I’m surprised he hadn’t done it a few times already.”
He laughed. “Anyway, they’re fine with it, and so’s everyone else. They do occasionally slip away for an overnighter in Bend …” He arched one eyebrow and tried to look like a Lothario.
“Oh, not that again!”
Tate laughed, making Georgie look at him. “Sorry, boy. It’s nothing.”
“It won’t be nothing if Casey and your brother suddenly announce that they’re going to need more room.”
He looked confused before it dawned on him what she was talking about. “Jake? Kids?”
“Well, it’s likely to happen sometime,” she countered.
Tate hadn’t given it much thought, but she was right. He had a sudden vision of Cassandra with a child in her arms, the Eifel Tower in the background, mother and baby in pink raincoats …
“So about that coffee?” Melanie asked as she turned off the hose again. “That is, if you have time?”
“Sure. I took John’s advice and just looking things over today.”
“John? Oh, Casey’s dad?”
“Yeah. He’s a great guy – even insisted I stay at that apartment of his.”
“The one Casey used to live in? That was nice of him.”
“You said it.”
“So tell me … what do you think of Bernard?”
Tate burst out laughing.
Melanie nodded. “Yes, that’s what most people think.”
“He’s quite a character,” Tate said between chuckles.
“That he is. People in the building love him.” She rifled through her basket of grooming implements. “I’ll finish him up, then meet you at the office?”
“Okay. See you in a few.” Tate stepped into the shed row – and was surprised to find he didn’t want to leave. He was having a good time talking with Casey’s friend. He really hadn’t spoken with her since Jake’s wedding, and even then his mind was on Cassandra more than anything else.
He watched her scrape water from Georgie’s coat, then headed for the office. He had a few things he needed to look at before he left for the day. With luck he’d get that done in the time it took Melanie to finish, then he could spend time with her, invite her to dinne
r or something. It was one thing to be surrounded by eight million people in the Big Apple, quite another when you only knew three – John, Melanie and Miss Williams the riding instructor.
His last visit had been spent buried in work, but expected that this trip he’d have more spare time on his hands. He hoped to spend it with Cassandra, but wasn’t sure how much he’d get with her. In the meantime, he could get Melanie caught up. He liked her – she was fun to be around, and maybe she could explain to him the nuts and bolts of the modeling industry and how it all worked. Then perhaps he wouldn’t feel so squirrelly about Cassandra’s e-mails.
* * *
Melanie led Georgie into his stall, took off his halter and got ready to leave. “You gonna be a good boy?”
Georgie looked at her with his big brown eyes, blinked and bumped her with his nose, hoping for a treat.
“You already had your goodie for the day, buddy.” She gave him a parting pat. “Try not to get so dirty tomorrow when you’re turned out, eh? Every time I see one of the Sullivans, I’m giving you a bath.”
Georgie, realizing she had nothing for him, turned to his hay rack, ignoring her.
“Fine, be that way.” She left the stall, closed the door and leaned against it a moment. Casey had sprayed Jake Sullivan, and ended up marrying him. Tate Sullivan had sprayed her today, but it wasn’t going to lead anywhere. Tate had eyes for Cassandra and Cassandra only. She was just going to have to accept that and move on.
With a heavy sigh, she pushed herself away from the door and headed for the office, remembering the first time she met Tate at the Sullivan ranch. She and Cassandra had followed Casey and Jake into the house through the kitchen’s back door. Tate had come in not five minutes later, hot, sweaty and with his shirt undone, his hair plastered to his forehead and his cowboy hat shoved back. His eyes met hers and locked, and her heart leaped in her chest.
Then he glanced at Cassandra, looked at his disheveled appearance and quickly excused himself.
Melanie wouldn’t have thought anything of it, were it not for her heart’s reaction. And it wasn’t because of his broad, sweat-drenched chest or six-pack abs – in her line of work, she saw those by the boxcar load. It was more like something inside her recognized him, though they’d never met. As if it was saying, oh, so there you are …
You know he’s with Cassandra – don’t even think about it, her conscience warned.
“Yes, but we are talking about Cassandra,” she whispered.
Never mind. It’s none of your business.
Her conscience was such a drag. “True enough, but what if I want to make it my business?” she hissed.
You’d be asking for trouble. Just stay out of it.
“Okay, fine!”
“What was that?” Tate asked as he came out of the office.
“Uh, nothing.” Great, he’d caught her talking to herself. That wouldn’t help matters.
He eyed her a moment as if unconvinced, then tapped his fingers against his thigh. “I was thinking, it’s already four. Do you want to have dinner instead of coffee?”
“Dinner?” she said in shock.
“Uh, yeah,” he said. “I take it that’s a no?”
Melanie quickly collected herself. “Not at all. I have time.” For you I’d make time, she thought. But was spending time with Tate a good thing? It’s just one dinner, she insisted, even as her conscience replied, get over it – and him! “Can’t hurt to have dinner, right?”
“Of course not,” he agreed, bemused.
Melanie wanted to smack herself. She’d have to curb her habit of speaking aloud to her conscience. “Sorry, just thinking aloud. I have a lot of work.”
“We can do it another time …”
“No! I mean … I mean, it’s fine. I have to eat, right?” She laughed nervously, then stopped, then regretted stopping. He probably thought she’d lost it. “What are you in the mood for?” she asked, trying to get back on track.
He shrugged, still smiling. “Well, I remember trying a few places nearby. And it’s still early. Want to go to the park, then eat?”
“Which park?”
“How about the big one here in Brooklyn – what’s it called again, Prospect?”
“Sure. Let me check how to get there.” She whipped her cell phone out of her back pocket, got into her subway app and looked up the route.
“What’s that you’re looking at?” he asked.
“New York subway app. I put in where I want to go and it tells me which trains to take from where I am.”
“I need that. I’m trying to use the trains this trip instead of drive. I didn’t even rent a car this time around- it costs too much.”
She smiled. At times she forgot the Sullivans were by no means rich. She turned her phone around so he could see. “Looks like we can just take a taxi to the Brighton Beach station, then catch the Q or B to Prospect Park. Easy-peasy.”
He pulled his own phone out as he drew closer to see hers. “What’s that app called again?”
Melanie could feel the heat of his body, felt his presence permeate hers, and swallowed hard. “It’s … um … in the App store.” She glanced at his phone – was it an iPhone? Yeah, it was …
“Yes, but what’s it called?” he asked again.
“Oh yeah, duh! NYC Subway is the actual name.” They were shoulder to shoulder at this point, and she thought he might sear her skin through their clothing. What was it about this man? She could hardly breathe, for crying out loud!
“I see … there it is.” He started the download. “Good – now I won’t get so lost.”
Melanie reluctantly stepped away. “No, not if you know how to use it right. You should be fine.” She turned, not wanting him to see her face. Her heart hammered in her chest and she found it hard to breathe. Maybe having dinner with Tate Sullivan wasn’t such a good idea after all.
Chapter 3
“I’ve never been to Mexico,” Tate said between bites. During their walk, he and Melanie had stopped at a pretzel cart and bought themselves a snack before dinner. He popped the last piece into his mouth and looked around. “Just how big is this park?”
“Big,” she said, a hand over her mouthful of pretzel. She choked it down, then took a sip of soda. “The man who designed Central Park also designed this one. Or did you already know that?”
“How could I?”
Melanie eyed her pretzel and shook off some loose salt. “I thought Jake might have told you. Fun Brooklyn facts, that sort of thing.”
“Nope. My brother had one thing on his mind his first time here, and we both know what.”
Melanie felt a prick of jealousy. Tate’s younger brother had started to fall for her BFF Casey not long after he started working at Dixie’s Riding Academy. She remembered thinking he was pretty darn cute herself, but soon saw the writing on the wall and stepped aside. Now it was happening again, only this time it was her own assistant instead of her best friend. Would she ever have any luck in love?
“Ahem,” Tate said with a little cough.
Melanie eyed him dubiously and noticed he was focused on her pretzel. “I take it you’re still hungry? Then we’d better get to the other end of the park and catch a train home.”
He smiled again. “Italian?”
“Sounds good. I know a place.” She started walking. He followed, reaching out his hand, and she automatically handed him the soda. He took a sip and handed it back. The action was natural, as if they were using ESP. It was frustrating – she felt so comfortable around Tate, yet hardly knew the man. They were like a hand and a glove, a perfect fit, but he was with someone else – worse still, a friend and colleague.
The tension was killing her. She hoped having dinner with him didn’t result in her devouring a quart of gelato later that night.
“It’s beautiful here,” he commented as they strolled down a heavily-wooded trail. From there, one would never know they were in the middle of Brooklyn.
“Yes, it is. In many ways I
like this park better than Central. It feels much more private.”
He stopped and looked around. “I don’t hear anyone, see anyone.” He looked at her. “You’re right.” He studied her a moment before looking away. “Does Cassandra like to hike?”
Melanie, who’d been hanging on his gaze, felt as if he’d just shoved her off an embankment as her heart plummeted back to reality. “I don’t know. She’s never talked about it, and I’ve never known her to hike.”
“Never?” he said in surprise.
“No. But if you like hiking, well, there’s here. You can take the Q up to Prospect like we did today and roam all over in here. I sometimes do it before I head back to Manhattan. Though until today it’s been quite a while.”
He looked up at the spider web of branches and leaves above them. “I think I will.” He met her gaze and smiled. “Care to join me now and then?”
She shrugged even as her heart raced. “Sure. Now and then.” Melanie, you idiot – don’t! her conscience barked, and maybe it was right – maybe she was an idiot. But she couldn’t help herself – he was so, so …darn it, she didn’t know. But it was definitely something, and maybe she should find out, regardless of what the voice in her head said.
They wandered down another trail. “I hate to sound distrusting, but are we lost?” he asked.
She giggled. “Not unless you want to be. And it can happen in here, but you’d find your way out eventually.” Her eyes had locked with his, and she found it hard to turn away. She squeezed her eyes shut to disconnect them.
“Eventually, which is not a big thing as long as you aren’t supposed to be somewhere else … is something wrong?”
That made it worse. “No,” she said, her heart sinking once more. “Something in my eye.” Which was true enough – he’d be burned across her retinas for who knew how long. She shook her head at her own folly. She shouldn’t be doing this – she should stay away from him. Hard to do, though, when her one true joy next to her work was being at Dixie’s. She couldn’t stop riding Georgie just to avoid Tate. “Have you heard from Cassandra?” she asked absently.